PAU (France), July 17: Frenchman Patrice Halgand won the 147-kms 10th stage of the Tour de France Wednesday, but the day was tarnished by the death of a seven-year-old boy who was run over by a Tour car.

Halgand gave France its first victory in this year’s Tour ahead of his compatriot Jerome Pineau in second with Ludo Dierckxens of Belgium third, but the return of tragedy to the world’s biggest race cast a pall over the triumph.

The young boy ran across the road while his grandparents were not looking 26 kilometres into the stage between Bazas and Pau. He was run over by a car from the publicity caravan and died from his wounds on the spot.

It was the third time in recent years that a boy has been killed while watching the race. In 2000, a 12-year-old boy died near Draguignan and in 1988 a four-year old boy was killed near Limoges.

Halgand attacked eight kilometres from the finish to part company with three other riders, Pineau, Dierckxens and Australian Stuart O’Grady, who had broken away with him on the last climb.

His victory came as a relief for French riders, who had yet to win a stage this year, but also for his team Jean Delatour, who received a last minute go-ahead to take part in the Tour.

Jean Delatour replaced Saeco after the Italian team were banned because of doping charges facing their riders.

Spaniard Igor Gonzalez Galdeano retained his overall leader’s yellow jersey before Thursday’s first mountain stage over 158 kms between Pau and La Mongie.—Reuters